Machine for applying solid rubber tires to wheel rims



P. D. MlZE Oct. 14, 1952 MACHINE FOR APPLYING SOLID RUBBER TIRES TO WHEEL RIMS 5 Sheets-Sheet 1 Filed Sept. 25, 1948 INVENTOR. [1| Eu! fi/Zze. 1l

7 TTIWIVEXS,

P. D. MIZE Oct. 14, 1952 MACHINE FOR APPLYING SOLID RUBBER TIRES TO WHEEL RIMS Filed Sept. 23, 1948 5 Sheets-Sheet 2 iv Mg O l7 INVENTOR. FaZ/Z Z M226,

5 SheetsSheet 3 P. D. MIZE MACHINE FOR APPLYING SOLID RUBBER TIRES T0 WHEEL RIMS Oct. 14, 1952 Filed Sept. 23, .1948

INVENTOR. 7%:(ZZ )fz'za. BY M, g yfiow e Oct. 14,

MACHINE FOR APPLYING Filed Sept. 23, 1948 SOLID RUBBER TIRES TO WHEEL RIMS MIZE 2,613,736

5 Sheets-Sheet 4 INVENTOR. my! Z MZZcS.

P. D. MlZE Oct. 14, 1952 MACHINE FOR APPLYING SOLID RUBBER TIRES TO WHEEL RIMS Filed Sept. 25, 1948 5 Sheets-Sheet 5 INVENTOR. Bea! M226.

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Patented Oct. 14, 1952 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE MACHINE FOR/APPLYING SOLID RUBBER TIRESTO WHEEL RIMS Paul Douglas Mire, Detroit, Mich. Application September 23, 1948, Serial N0. 50,712 13 Claims. (Cl; 1 57--1.l)

This invention relates to tireapplyingdevices for machines, and particularly to a device for stretching a circular tire and applying it to a rim of'a-wheel.

Diflicu1ty has always been experienced heretofore in the art in applying a circular rubber tire to the rim of a wheel. This was usually done by a device that rolled and stretched the tire directly on the rim, which usually resulted in the tread on the tire appearing twisted after. the tire application.

The present invention pertainsto a device having a plurality of jaws between which the tire lSidlSDOSBd. Jaw mechanism is'actuated for grippingthe tire at equally spaced points about its periphery. and for drawing the tire outwardly from the center to enlarge its circumference.

The rim is. then disposed within the stretched tire and the mechanism released to permit the tire to snap upon the rim. In such a machine the tire is stretched radially outwardly and thereforeis not twisted so that'the tread will accurately' follow the circumference of the wheel.

An annular base is provided on which a plurality of cylinders are secured in a manner to be adjusted radially of the base so that tires of different. diameters may be applied by the machine. The cylinder carriesa piston anda piston rod in which a cylinder is provided-for operating a second piston which actuates toggles for closing. clamshell-like jawsabout the tire, after which the first piston. is actuated within the cylinder to move the jaws radially outwardly to stretchth'e tire held thereby. A rin'rmay be then plac'edwithin the areav of thestretched tire and the mechanism released to permit the tire to retract about the rim. Thereupon, the rim and tire are .removed from within the jaws and the. machine is in position for a repeated operation.

Accordingly, the main objects of the invention are: to provide a machine forradiallystretching a solid tire for applying the tire onthe rim of a wheel; to provide an annular base on which a plurality of mechanisms arev adjustably. disposed for operatingon circular tires of different diameters for applying the tires .to various diameter'wheel' rims; to provide an annular base on which a plurality of cylindersare adjustably mounted for operating a piston' for retracting JH'WS been moved into engagement. therewith for stretching the tire preparatory to applying it to a-rim; to provide a device having a base carrying a plurality of tire stretching'devices with means for positioning the tire relative to the devices both radially and in the plane of, the d'evices to provide actuating mechanism for the which clamp the tire after the jaws have gripping and stretching devices. for a tire which is completely automatic for gripping the tire at a'plurality of points throughout its circumference and for moving the gripping elements axially and for thereafter releasing the gripping ele- Figure 1 is a broken view, In side elevation, of a tire applying device embodying the present invention;

Fig. 2 is a broken plan view of the structure illustrated in Fig. l, as viewed from line 2--2 thereof; v

Fig. 3 is an enlarged sectional view of the structure illustrated in Fig. 2, taken on the line 3-3 thereof;

Fig. 4 is an enlarged broken sectional view of the structure illustrated in Fig. 2, taken on the line 44 thereof;

Fig. 5 is a sectional view of the structure illustrated in Fig. 1, taken on the line 55 thereof;

Fig. 6 is an enlarged broken view of the structure illustrated in Fig. 2, taken on the line 6-6 thereof;

Fig. '7 is a front view of the structure illustrated in Fig. 5;

Fig. 8 is a sectional view of the structure illustrated in Fig. 4, taken on the line 88 thereof, an

Fig. 9 is a diagrammatic view of the fluid circuit employed for controlling the actuation of the machine illustrated in the foregoing figures.

The machine for stretching and applying the tire to a rim comprises a plate ll having apair,

device herein illustrated, the spokelike pairsof rods l6 are spaced apart, while three of the;

pairs of spokelike rods I! at the bottom portion. of the base are likewise spaced 45 apart-and dis posed midway between the spokelike elements I 6. Additional pairs of the spokelike elementsll'l are provided at the top between" therig'ht' and left" top pairs of the spokelike elements l6 for a purpose which will be explained more fully hereinafter.

Each of the spokelike elements It supports gripping and stretching devices l8 illustrated in detail in Figs. 4, 6 and 8. The devices l8 embody a cylinder l9 having a piston rod 2| therein on which a piston 22 is secured, herein illustrated as by welding at 23. A stop ring 25 is mounted within the cylinder l9 about the piston rod 2|, adjustable lengthwise of the cylinder by a setscrew 25 secured in adjusted relation by a nut 28. About the stop ring 24 a coil spring 21 is mounted for urging the piston 22 forwardly in the cylinder. The piston rod 2| is provided with a cylinder 28 in which a piston rod 29 is operated by a. piston 3| on the inner end thereof. A coil spring 32 is mounted about the piston rod 29 between the left-hand end of the cylinder 28 and the piston 3| for urging the piston rod to the right within the cylinder. The end of the cylinder I9 is enclosed by a cap 33 which is retained in position by a snap ring 34. A drain aperture 35 isprovided through the cap and a threaded aperture 36 is provided therein for supporting the threaded stud 25. Packing material 31 is provided about the piston 22, while similar packing material 38 is disposed about the piston 3|.

An O-ring 39, of neoprene or similar resilient material, seals the end of the-piston rod 29 from the piston 3| through the center of which a supporting screw 4| is utilized for securing the piston on the end of the rod. The left-hand end of the cylinder l9 has a head 42 welded thereto which is provided with a packing material 43 for sealing the piston 2|. A port 44 is provided through the head 42 to which a conduit 45 is threaded. The right-hand end of the cylinder 28 is enclosed by a head 46 secured thereto by a plurality of screws 4'| and sealed by a resilient O-ring of neoprene or other resilient material 48. A port 49 is providedthrough the head 48 to which a conduit is connected through a threaded engagement therewith.

The bottom of the cylinder I!) has a bracket 52 welded'or otherwise secured thereto on the center line thereof. The bracket, as illustrated in Fig. 8, is of sufiicient width to span the two rods l6 which form the spokelike elements above referred to, to which it is clamped by a plurality of screws '53 extending through a plate 5|) abutting the bottom face of the rod l6. As viewed in Fig. 4,

the screws 53 are employed to clamp the cylinder onto the spokelike rods I6, assisted by a screw 54 which is also employed as a positioning screw. The screw 54 projects through one of a plurality of plates 55 of various lengths which is secured to the annular plate l5 by a screw 56, thereby positioning thecylinder at different but accurate radial spacing from the center of the base l3, In other words, if a two-inch larger rim were to have a tire applied thereto, a plate 55 one inch longer in length would move all of the devices outwardly one inch, thereby increasing the internal spacing'of the devices by a two-inch increase in diameter.

The forward end of the piston 2| has a pair of projecting bosses 51 extending from the left-hand end thereof on either side ofthe piston rod 29 towhich apair of spaced brackets 58 is secured by a plurality of cap screws 59. The brackets have a pair of links 6| secured thereon by pivots 62 and having the opposite end secured to pivots 68. Links 60, which form toggles with links'GL extend from the pivots V68 to arms 63 on clamshellv like jaws 64 where they are secured by pivots '65. The arms 63 are secured to the brackets 58 by pivots 66. Toggle actuating links 61 have one end secured to the pivots 68 and the opposite ends secured to a head 69 on the left-hand end of the piston rod 29 by pivots 1|. The pivots 1| are retained in the head by a cotter pin 12 extending through notches provided in the side wall thereof. When fluid is expelled from the cylinders l9 and 28, the piston 2| is moved to the left by the spring 21, while the piston 8| is moved to the right by the spring 32. This latter movement opens the jaws 64, while the former movement advances the jaws into gripping position.

After a tire has been placed within the area outlined by the jaws, fluid is first introduced into the cylinder 28 to advance the piston 3| and rod 29 to the left, thereby closing the jaws, as illustrated in Fig. 4. Thereafter, fluid is introduced into the cylinder l9, moving the piston 21 and rod 2| to the right, thereby moving the jaws64 therewith and stretching the tire an amount controlled by the stop ring 24 adjusted through the setscrew 25. The brackets 58, as illustrated more specifically in Figs. 4 and 8, have an arm 13 secured thereto in position to extend on either side of the bracket 52 to prevent the brackets 58 and jaw 64 from rotating relative to the bracket. After the tire has been stretched and a rim placed therein, fluid is first conducted from the cylinder 28 to permit the piston 3| to move to the right and thereby open the jaws 64 to permit the tire to retract'upon the rim, after which fluid is conducted from the cylinder I9, permitting the piston 2| and jaws to again be moved into clamping position.

The two lowermost stretching devices l8, as illustrated in Fig. 2, are provided with locating plates 14 for positioning the tire relative to the jaws of the lowermost cylinders and substantially concentric to the center of the base l3 when the tire-is disposed within the area outlined by the jaws. The tires also rest upon the ends of arms 15 which are pivoted on a pin 16 between a pair of plates 11 which are welded or otherwise secured to a base plate 18. The base plate is secured by screws 19 to a pair of spaced spokelike bars |1 when extending through a bottom plate 8| for drawing the base plate 18 against the top surface of the bars. The arm 15 is biased in a clockwise direction by a spring 82 to a position limited by an adjustable screw 83 which is locked in adjusted position by a nut 84. Tire supporting ends 85 of the arms project upwardly to be positioned between the jaws for supporting the tire and rim in a plane centrally of the jaws.

When the tire is placed upon the ends 85 of the arms, it will be located in the plane of the jaws and be concentric with the'center of the base |3 when abutting the plates 14 in the lowermost gripping and stretching devices l8. The plurality of conduits 45 on the cylinders l9 are interconnected by conduits 86having communication with a supply conduit 81. The conduits 5| on the end of the cylinders 28 are interconnected with each other by conduits 88 which are connected to a supply circuit by a conduit 89. The conduits 88 are either resilient or provided with a coil 9| to provide resiliency to permit the piston 2| to be advanced and retracted in the cylinder I9. Similarly, the conduits '86 are made of flexible material or provided with a coil 9| to permit the cylinder to be adjusted upon the spokelike pairs of rods |6 when changed for different diameter tires and rims.

, Referring more particularly to Figs. 1, 5, 7 and iaryiair supply for cylinder I9. I I I the conduit I04 passes downwardly through a rimnl22 off the supply from egeies se 5 9, the control circuit by which the 1 tire applying device -is operated, is illustrated, the

standard I2 support amanifold 93 and the plate II supportsa manifold 94. Thesupply' line 95 line or other fluid supply source,'from which it passes to an air filter 96, from which it is conducted through an oiler-91 and then'bya conthrough the conduit 89 to the cylinder 28. 'St or- 'f o r cylinders" 28, and tank- I I I provides-an auxil- The fluid from needle valve I05, through the conduit I06,

through thechecl; valveI01, to the conduit I08.

The fiuidfrom the conduit I08 passes into the :valve 98 and operates the valve to conduct air from the conduit 91, through conduit 81 to the cylinders I9. A rod I I2 is connected to the valve I'0I and to a root-operated lever I I3. The valves 98 and IM are mounted on projecting bosses II4 on the manifold93 by U bolts I I5. Clamping feet II6 may be secured to the plate II for securing the device on a floor, Fluid from the conduit I08 also passes through a check valve I I1, 'condu'it,,I I0 and a needle valve I I9 to the manifold 93 where it maypass through the conduit I04 to the valve IOI and to atmosphere. I

I When a tire I'2I is to be applied to a-ri'm, it is placed within the area of the jaws 04 on'the ends 85 of the arm 15 resting against the plate 7 14'on the bottom clamping and stretching delvices'fI8. The foot leverf I I3 is then pressed downwardly to open the valve IOI to permit air to go to the cylinders 28, causingthe'jaws to clamp the tire. Fluid will also pass through the conduit I04, needle valve I05, conduit I09 and the check valve I01 to the conduit I08 to operate theval've 98., Through the setting of the needle valve l05,-the delivery of fluid from the conduit 91 to the valve 98 may be delayed a desired amount; Air passing from the'valve98 will pass through the conduit 81 to thecylinders I9 to retract the jaws, thereby stretching the tire Hi. This delayed operation of the piston 22in the cylinder I9 is very slight so that the gripping and'stretching of the tire are practically simultaneous, After the tire has been stretched, a I 1 i then placed upon the projecting ends 85 of'thearms 15 and the foot lever II3 is then released, returning I position, connecting the conduits 89 and I04 to atmosphere. This will immediately release the air from the cylinders 28,- permitting the springs 32 to retract the piston rod 29 and open the jaws 64, releasing the tire I2 I which retracts against the rim I22, thereby completing the tire applying operation, At this point the tire and rim may be removed from the machine. .Air in the conduit I08 which retains the valve 98 in the operating position, passes from the conduit I08, the checkvalve II1, the conduit II8, past the needle valve II9 and to the conduit I04, from Whichit is conducted into the valve IN and to atmosphere through the exhaust port I I0. This permits the valve 98 to return to its initial position,closing the conduit 91 and connecting the supply from conduit 81 to atmosphere through the exhaust port I20. This permit the spring 21 to return the piston 22 to the iorward ml or the" cylinder I9, thereby returning the the ..,valve' IM to its initial is'connected tothe manifold 94 from a main'air ge tank I03 provides an auxiliary supply of air I clo operating said "jaws "and fmoving mean quence', positioning means for locating the PQ ition in tl1el l9 1r1e"ofv the j a'w's; 'additiq ingthe foot lever H 3-, area and'rel'ea'sing the foot lever, a tire is auto- Ithe fia "siiili r dX141 u t nt made or; the supportin'g' arms 15, utilizing similar -templatesthere'for.

for'movinjg the-jaws radially jaws to their i-niti'al positions,"readyfor the-neiEt tire applying operation. 1

Thus, by' the simple operation or placinga tire in-the device in the area between-the jaws, 1

placing a rim within the maticallystr'etched and applied to the rim. The

pointed outliereinahove, is 'uL niVelSal in operation 1 inthat the' g-ripping and 'stretc rig devices-may be adjustedaxially to fit varioussizes 0f tiresand-rims, and as no turning or twisting torque applied-to the tire eitherwhen 'bei-ng stretched or released 'forretra'ction with the tread, the tire 'snaps straight onto the rim' par therewith. 'The adjustment ispreferably allel "ade by template plates which accurately-locatel the ja'w relati'vegto each otherfa'nd the "center of be What is unmet-is;

1AA 'tir'e applying device embodying fa the plate "having radially disposed supporting -ele "niehts thereon, tire grippingand stretching devices; applied to said supporting elements"; we

on 'saidqdevices positioned annularly about he center-ofthe base, means on thedev'ices' 'for ning and closing the jaws, means on 'said*de' ces v I I I I II I outward when closed for" stretching the tire, a fi uidI circuit fo r o ting'said 'r noving means in sequenceiandpositiony 'ing sii g the tirein a positionin the plane'of'ithe jaws.

2. A tireapplying device embodying a base plate having radially dis'posed'suppp ftirig elmerits thereon; tire gripping 'and st'retchirig' aevices applied'to said supporting elements, jaws ensaid devices positioned annularly about the eenter of the base; means on the devices for openingand closing the jaws, mean onsaid devices, for moving the jaws radially outward'when closed 33 tire applying device embodying: as'e plate having radially disposed supporting r'nents thereon, tire grip-ping andIstretchin devices applied to said, supporting elements. 'onjs'aid devices positioned annularly about the center of the base, means on the devices foropen- 'ing and closing the jaws, means on said devices re; moving the jaws; radially 1; outward when "for stretching'the'tire;a fliiicl' circ ityfor 'cating means providedon the jaws for positioning thetire gitgnm thereof, dmeene 'for'prevent- 'ing the jaws from turning outjof a'commonplane when being irioved radially outward and inward.

4. In a tireapplying device, a plurali'tyjo f f annul arly spaced jaws movable to closed positioni'or' gripping a tire and to open position for releasing the tire, means for moving said jaws radially outwardly forstretching the tire after'the tire is ripped thereby, means for movin aidIj -Sn open position when retained iri'tire stretched position for releasing said tire, means for supporting a-lrimin the plane of said stretched tirean'd sub- 'stantially concentric thereto, 'means for adjusting said jaws and moving meansradiallyof-said device for operating on tires of-dii fer"e'n'tdiam 'eters, and means for adjustingsaidrim supporting means.

5. In a tire applying device, a, basehaving a plurality of radially disposed slots therein, cylinders adjustably supported on said base through said slots, jaw means for gripping a tire, carried by each of said cylinders, means for operating said jaws for gripping a tire means for moving said jaws radially outward aftera tire is gripped for stretching a tire, template plates for locatingsaid cylinders in said slots an equi-distance from the center of said base, at least one of saidjaws having a tire centering element carried thereby, and additional supporting elements for the tire carried by the base for locating the tire in the plane of said jaws.

6. In a tire applyingdevice, a base having a plurality of radial slots, cylinders adjustably mounted on the base through said slots, a piston and piston rod carried by each of saidcylinders, said piston rod having a cylinder therein, a second piston and piston rod in said second cylinder,

jaws carried by said first cylinder and actuated jaws carried by said first cylinder and actuated by said second piston and piston rod to open and closed :positions, and a fluid circuit for actuating said pistons for closing the jaws and forthereafter moving the jaws outwardly to stretch a tire gripped thereby, said fluid circuit having control means therein for operating the second piston and piston rod first to close the jaws to grip the tire and for operatin'gflthe first piston and piston rod thereafter to'move the jaws outwardly to thereby stretch the tire.

8. In a tire applying. device, a base having a plurality of radial slots, cylinders adjustably mounted on the base through said slots, a piston .and piston rod carried by each of saidc'ylinders, said piston rod having a cylinder therein, a second piston and piston rod in said second cylinder,jaws carried by said first cylinder and actuated -by said "second piston and piston rod to open and closed positions, a fluid circuit foractuating said pistons for closing'the jaws and for thereafter moving the jaws outwardly to stretch a tire gripped thereby, said fluid circuit having control means therein 'for operating the second piston and piston rod first to closethe jaws to grip the tire'and for operating the first piston and piston rod thereafter to move the jaws outwardly to thereby stretch the tire, and locating means" for positioning the tire in the plane of the jaws and centrally thereof.

9. In a tire applying device, a base having a plurality of radial slots, cylinders adjustably mounted on the base through said slots, a, piston and piston rod carried by each of said cylinders, said pistonrodhaving a cylindertherein, a second piston and piston rod in saidfsecond cylinder, jaws carried by said first cylinder andactuated by said second piston and piston rod' toopen and closed positions, a fluid circuitfor actuating said pistons for closing the jaws and for thereafter moving the jaws outwardly to stretch a, tire -gripped thereby, said fluid circuit having control ing means for preventing its means therein for operating the second piston and piston rod first to close the jaws to grip the tire and for operating the first piston and piston rod thereafter to move the jaws outwardly to thereby stretch the tire, locating means for pcsitioning the tire in the plane of the jaws and centrally thereof, and means on said cylinder and second piston and piston rod for retaining said jaws in a common plane.

10. In a gripping and clamping device, a plurality of which are employed to grip andstretch a tire to enlarge its diameter, a cylinder,"a piston rod and piston carried by the cylinder,. the piston rod having a cylinder therein, a second piston and rod in said second cylinder, and pivoted jaws carried by said first cylinder andactiiated by the piston rod 'of said second cylinder to closed and open positions.

rality of which are employed to grip and stretch a tire to enlarge its diameter, a cylinder,'a piston .rod and piston carried by the cylinder, the piston rod having a cylinder therein, a second piston and rod in said second cylindenfpivoted jaws carried .by said first cylinder and actuated by the piston rod of said second cylindergto closed and open positions, a sleeve within said first cylinder about the piston rod therein on the side of the piston remote from said jaws, and a spring between said sleeve and cylin'der' .wall for moving the piston toward the jaw supporting end of the cylinder, said cylinder on the jaw supporting end containing a port for the introduction of fluid for moving the piston tocompress said spring.

12. In a gripping and clamping device, a plurality of which are employed to grip andstretch a tire to enlarge its diameter, a cylinder, a'piston rod and piston carriedby the cylinder, the piston rod having a cylinder therein, a second piston and rod in said second cylinder, andpivoted jaws carried by said first cylinder and actuated by the piston rod of said second cylinder to closed and open positions, said second piston havrotation relative to said first cylinder. v I

13. In a tire app'lying'device, a plurality of annularly spaced pairs .of jaws for gripping a tire, means for opening and closing each'f said pair of jaws, means for moving said "pairsof jaws when closed about a the radially outwardly for stretching the tirefsaid'means for operating eachof said pairs of jaws "actuating each jaw of the pair simultaneously a like amount forreleasing both sides of the tire simultaneously to prevent the tire from being'twisted" or moved. from its plane when released."

PAUL DOUGLAS MIZE.

REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in the file of this patent: i l

UNITED STATES PATENTS V Date Number Name I I 1,353,078 Smith Sept. 14, 1920 1 1,437,085 Banta -1 Nov. 28, 1922 1,573,760 'Replogle Mar; 30, 1926 1,822,501 Onsrud Sept. 8,1931 1,877,787 Argabrite 1 Sept. 20,1932 2,277,640 Harrington Ma'rf24,1942 2,432,139 Crowley Dec. 9, 1947 2,484,879 Ernst Oct. 18, 1949 2,485,166 Repas= Oct. 18,1949 

